Claudia Peterson

Claudia M. Peterson, age 78, passed away at Jennie Edmundson Hospital on February 24, 2024. She was born May 19, 1945, to the late Claude and Iva May (Fisher) Koger in Council Bluffs, IA. Claudia graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School with the class of 1963.

Growing up Claudia spent endless hours with her parents, aunts, uncles and cousins at Lake Manawa Fish and Game Club. She enjoyed swimming, fishing, and water skiing. Claudia played the flute and piccolo in the school band and later in life. She was named as the Queen of the Order of Eastern Star while still in High School.

On May 1, 1965, Claudia married Donald Peterson from Underwood area and they resided in rural Bentley, before purchasing an acreage outside of Crescent in 1967, where they resided for 54 years. They raised two children there. Tracy was born in 1966, and nearly 16 years later, Craig was born.

Horses were always a big part of the family. The kids and Don competed in Horse Shows for over 30 years - every weekend heading to a different town to compete, mostly in the SISCO Association, but also 4H Horse Shows. Also, during that time over Easter weekend, the family would pack up and ride for 3 days, raising money on the Pony Express Ride, while heading to Ankeny to Camp Sunnyside for Easter Seals.

The River City Roundup Ride on the Iowa side was a weeklong event that Claudia, Don & Craig participated in for several years.

She enjoyed attending her kids' sporting events and music programs. Claudia also had several hobbies as well, that included sewing, reading, swimming, gardening, and planting flowers.

Her greatest pride was being in the stands watching the grandkids sporting events, piano recitals, and band concerts. She loved going to watch Logan-Manolia wrestle in the State Duals every year.

Claudia served as a 4H Leader, the family also raised 4H lambs for many years.

Claudia had several jobs during her years or employment, working for Betty's Flowers, making floral arrangements, Peet's Feeds, Central National Insurance as a Personnel and Benefits Manager for 14 years, Con Agra Foods as a Benefits Administrator for one year, Alegent Health Mercy Hospital as a Human Resource Consultant, finally retiring in 2008.

For nearly 20 years, Claudia and Tracy went to craft fairs, selling the Goods that they each made, Claudia loved to sew. After retirement, she started a gardening and planting business, planting and weeding for clients. In 2012, she and her daughter opened an Antique and Gift Shop in Logan, Rust Bucket Décor, where she helped run until last December.

In 2021, Claudia and Don sold their acreage to son, Craig and his family, and moved to The Rose Senior Living Apartments, where granddaughter, Karli works as an RN. Claudia enjoyed the socialization, activities and entertainment that The Rose offered to her.

Claudia is survived by her husband of 58 years, Donald Peterson; children, Tracy (Mark) Michael and Craig (Annie) Peterson; grandchildren, Clayton (Amber) Michael, Karli (Mitch Keizer) Michael, Dakota Peterson, Dalan Peterson, and Dawson Peterson; great-grandchildren, Marlon Michael, Warren Michael, Ellis Michael, and Blythe Michael.

Viewing and visitation will be held from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home on Friday, March 01, 2024. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Crescent Volunteer Fire Department.